Ohio man ran tattoo shop while on workers’ comp

COLUMBUS – A former Columbiana (Columbiana/Mahoning Counties) man was sentenced recently for running a tattoo shop in Pennsylvania while receiving benefits from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) following a workplace injury. Randy Bartosh pleaded guilty in Franklin County August 15 after repaying more than $4,500.

Randy Bartosh

“Opening a small business is an admirable endeavor, but it is unfortunate Mr. Bartosh chose to do so at a time when he knew his work would conflict with workers’ compensation benefits,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer.

BWC’s Special Investigations Department opened an investigation after a confidential source contacted the fraud hotline advising Randy Bartosh was engaging physical activity inconsistent with his complaints to doctors in his workers’ compensation claim. Bartosh was receiving the benefits for an injury that occurred while working for Zarbana Industries in Columbiana.

Investigators conducted social media searches, undercover operations and obtained bank records discovering that Bartosh opened in fact owned a tattoo shop called 213’s Tattoo U in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania while receiving temporary total disability benefits. Bartosh tattooed customers, and managed business and marketing operations.

The Ohio Industrial Commission found Bartosh was overpaid and ordered him to return $4541.70, which has since been repaid to BWC. Additionally, Bartosh pleaded guilty to one count of workers’ compensation fraud and one count of theft. A Franklin County Court of Common Pleas judge ordered him to pay a $100 fine.